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Brigham Young University. Office of the President

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1903-

Administrative History

The Office of the President (est. 1903) is the central administrative body at Brigham Young University, and is the direction of the university president.

Brigham Young University has had a president since Brigham Young Academy was changed to Brigham Young University in 1903. While the school was still called Brigham Young Academy the head officer was titled principal.

The Board of Trustees delegates to the university president the responsibility to conduct the operations of the institution and administer the policies enacted by the board. Since 1996, the president of the university has also been a General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Past and present Brigham Young University presidents include George H. Brimhall (1903-1921), Franklin S. Harris (1921-1945), Howard S. McDonald (1945-1949), (acting president) Christian Jensen (1949-1951), Ernest L. Wilkinson (1951-1971), Dallin H. Oaks (1971-1980), Jeffrey R. Holland (1980-1989), Rex E. Lee (1989-1995), Merrill J. Bateman (1996-2003), Cecil O. Samuelson (2003-2014), Kevin J. Worthen (2014-2023), and C. Shane Reese (2023- ).

Citation:
Office of the President essays, circa 1985-1986

Brigham Young University, L. Tom Perry Special Collections worksheet, Feb. 4, 2010 (Office of the President; administrative office associated with the president of Brigham Young University)

Brigham Young University Web site, Feb. 4, 2010 (Office of the President; President's Office)

BYU Organizational History, Brigham Young University, Feb. 19, 2013 (BYU chief executive/general manager; University President 1903; BYA to BYU; Board of Trustees delegate responsibilities to University President; 1996 General Authority; past/present presidents George H. Brimhall (1903-1921), Franklin S. Harris (1921-1945), Howard S. McDonald (1945-1949), (acting president) Christian Jensen (1949-1951), Ernest L. Wilkinson (1951-1971), Dallin H. Oaks (1971-1980), Jeffrey R. Holland (1980-1989), Rex E. Lee (1989-1995), Merrill J. Bateman (1996-2003), and Cecil O. Samuelson (2003- ))

Found in 16 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on administration, 1954-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains memos and letters between BYU faculty and staff, as well as the minutes and agendas of several administrative councils and committees at BYU. Dated 1954 and 1963.

Dates: 1954-1963

Office of the President records on administration, 1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 5 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains memos between President WIlkinson and individual administrators at BYU. Also contains minutes of the President's meetings with administrators. Dated 1959.

Dates: 1959

Office of the President records on administration, 1966

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 9 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and other members of BYU administration as well as reports on BYU activity. Also contains sections on administrative councils and budgets for BYU departments. Dated 1966.

Dates: 1966

Office of the President records on associations, 1948-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 8
Scope and Contents

Correspondence between Ernest L. Wilkinson and other associations, councils, societies and departments regarding meetings, conventions, funds, and newsletters. Dates of record keeping from 1948 to 1956.

Dates: Record Keeping: 1948-1956

Office of the President records on colleges and departments, 1946-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 14
Scope and Contents

Correspondence, memos, reports, and various publications related to the administration of departments and colleges on campus. Materials dated 1946 to 1958.

Dates: 1946-1958

Office of the President records on university development, 1957-1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 5 Sub-Series 17
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos as well as minutes from meetings on BYU university development. The majority deal with financial situations such as donors. Also contains George L. Barrett's will and information on his contirbution to BYU. Dated 1959.

Dates: 1957-1959